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SUVs Jeep Wrangler Wrangler Hits Rock Bottom
24 messages, Last post on Sep 24, 2009 at 8:02 AM
You are in the Jeep Wrangler Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
It's a shame, but what I'm seeing in the execution of the current excellent Wrangler design is highlighted in this Consumer Reports article just released, making it the lowest of the eleven lowest vehicles rated  : http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/autos/0802/gallery.2008_cr_worst_cars/ JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED "Score: 17 (out of 100) Highs: Off-road ability Lows: Ride, handling, braking, noise, fuel economy, fit and finish, visibility, frontseat comfort, access, reliability Consumer Reports performs off-road testing at its Connecticut proving grounds, but off-road ability doesn't factor into the final scores. That's part of the reason the Wrangler Unlimited gets the lowest score of any vehicle the magazine currently rates. "We're rating these cars as most people would drive them in the SUV category," said Jake Fisher, a Consumer Reports auto test engineer. While Jeep boasts that it sells to more owners who actually drive off-road than any other brand, the majority still spend most of their time on pavement. A spokeswoman for Chrysler pointed out that the Jeep and Dodge vehicles in this list were fundamentally engineered for heavy-duty off-road use and the Jeeps, in particular, have been rated highly by other publications. "
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Replying to: mac24 (Mar 05, 2008 8:18 am) For what it is, it is a GREAT SUV. I don't know much about the quality, but reports of the leaky tops, transmission issues, tire pressure monitor issues on the 08's when offroad, etc, leads me to think that Jeep's parents didn't think things through. With Chrysler's sale from DC, I wonder if those issues will be addressed for the 09+ model years. 07 and 08 are looking rather taboo to me right now. -Paul |
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For consumers who buy the Wrangler expecting a comfortable mallcrawler, they will be very disappointed and CR is warning them. For the consumer who KNOWS that the Wrangler is an impractical vehicle that is sooo much fun to drive and even repair every once in a while, its the right choice. They rated it based on SUVs in the market. The Jeep was around before their was an SUV market. Those who understand the Jeep are and will be happy with it. I just bought a Ford Edge last week (traded a '04 Expedition) to enjoy and save on gas. And in the next six weeks or so, I will be seriously looking to purchase Jeep Wrangler.
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Replying to: drmad7 (Mar 07, 2008 8:51 am)  CR used to really slam the TJ, complaining about the ride and the "uncomfortable" seats. My wife is far from a rabid off-roader, but she finds my Sahara's seats to be perfectly fine and the ride-even with Bilstein HDs-to be more than acceptable. And one more thing: the National Weather Service is calling for over 12 inches of snow tonight. I live at the end of a 1/2 mile gravel road and I'm extremely glad that there's a Wrangler TJ in the driveway; I sincerely doubt that any of CR's favorite SUV's could make it out.
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Replying to: roadburner (Mar 07, 2008 7:13 pm) My nephew bought a 2007 2-door Wrangler and he said it is the best Jeep he has owned. He had owned a 1995 YJ and a 1999 Cherokee. He also owned a Liberty for about three months, but traded it in because the transmission shifted poorly. This probably backs up the uneven QC at Chrysler. |
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| In 1997 I bought a new Jeep cherokee. With less than 200 miles the transfer case went out. It was terrible on fuel mileage also. In 1998 I bought a jeep wrangler that my credit union delivered to me. When they pulled up in it the rear main seal was pouring fluid. (A brand new vehicle.) Needless to say I sent that vehicle back. I thought by now jeep would have fixed whatever problems they may have had. I get ep pricing so I thought I would give them another try. I have all of 93 miles on my new 2008 Wrangler Saraha 4 dr. and already have problems. The transmission is slipping in reverse, the stereo has gone out. This vehicle has absoultey no power. It struggles pulling my boat and for a vehicle that has no power it gets terrible fuel mileage. I haven't had had it long enough to see if the freedom hard top leaks, but what I've read this is a very popular problem. I came out of a Toyota Tacoma that never went back for anything except oil changes. So maybe I expected too much. I would discourage anyone from buying a jeep product. I should have looked into it a lot further than I did. I will get rid of this vehicle as soon as possible and would not recomend this product to anyone. I have learned my lesson. I will never own another jeep product period....... | |
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Replying to: dissapointed3 (Mar 09, 2008 7:53 am) How come you didn't test drive it before you bought it? Seriously. A competent evaluation would reveal that the V6 Wrangler is far from a powerhouse. And one more thing: there's a sticker on the window that lists the EPA mileage estimates.
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Replying to: roadburner (Mar 09, 2008 10:01 am) Jeeps are not perfect. Neither is anybody else. You would think for a a $50k luxury car like my wife drives there'd be no problems. It is one of the most problematic cars I've EVER owned. I drive a 97 TJ - first year they were made. Other than a cracked manifold when I bought it USED and a messed up catalytic converter, the vehicle has had ZERO mechanical issues. I wheel it and I often wheel it hard. So to say Jeep doesn't get it doesn't hold water. Yeah I COMPLETELY agree that there are initial problems that should NOT happen (leaks, etc), but to criticize the vehicle for lack of power AFTER buying it is more like sour grapes. As mentioned, why not do a test drive? Even w/o a boat attached, you can get an idea of low end power (plus finding the power specs on that V6 is not hard to find on the 'net). There is no reason to go into a car purchase unprepared any more. I would HOPE that Jeep would at least read their feedback and offer something with oompf, like a diesel or a V8 in the JK. Perhaps offering it in certain trim levels (like the Rubicon) would be a solution. -Paul |
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Replying to: dissapointed3 (Mar 09, 2008 7:53 am)
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Replying to: garou89 (Mar 23, 2008 8:20 am)  19.1) installed cold air induction system and MagnaFlow low restriction muffler. Performance increased significantly w/ an indicated highway mpg of 24.5. I know, hard to believe (the mpg increase).
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